Catrina’s POV“Please, I beg of you, spare me.”I dropped to my knees, forehead pressed against the cold floor, arms still shielding my stomach. My voice cracked as desperation swallowed me whole.“I’m not Maria De’ la Fonte. I am Catrina Lombardi. Please—please let me go.”“Don’t play us for fools.” The leader’s boot crashed into my stomach. I folded, coughing, stars bursting in my vision.Suddenly, the stranger rushed forward, his arms catching me before I collapsed completely. He eased me to the wall.One of the brutes seized him by the collar, slamming him hard against the stone. “You want to play the hero? Then you’ll die like one!”The leader swung his fist but the stranger caught it mid-air, twisting his wrist. In one swift motion, he drove a brutal kick into the man’s chest.The sound was sharp, like a hammer striking bone. The leader flew backward and crashed against the wall.I gasped, clutching my stomach.“Don’t just stand there, get him!” the leader snarled, spitting bloo
Catrina’s POV“What should never have happened?” His voice cracked the air as his steps drew closer, each one hammering against my chest.Mrs. Hera rose in shock, her head bowing low. My legs trembled, but I jolted upright, panic choking me.“Did a cat suddenly catch your tongue?” Isabella’s voice slithered with sarcasm.“Sir… please, I can explain.” My knees buckled, I dropped at his feet. My fingers clutched his trousers as caged tears splashed onto his shoes.“Vincenzo,” Isabella purred, stepping in front of him. She adjusted his sleeve like she owned it, her face twisting in mock disgust at me. “I’ll tell you what happened.”Her smile sharpened like a blade. Then she roared, finger stabbing the air at me:“Catrina here is pregnant.”“Pregnant?” His sharp gaze locked on mine. His voice thundered, “How did you get pregnant when I’m sterile?”“Si… sir—” The words tangled on my lips, trembling.“Oh, dear, you’re taking too long.” Isabella crouched and flicked my chin, a wicked smile c
CATRINA’S POV“Catrina, you are pregnant.”The voice came from behind us.Isabella walked in, posing in front of me like a queen on her throne. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she tilted her head.“Are you really pregnant? Speak!” Her voice filled the room, echoing with venom.“You really can’t meddle in others’ affairs.” My eyes darted to the ceiling, trying to ignore the sting in her tone.“You call this affairs?” She snapped, grabbing my chin and jerking my head down so I was forced to look at her.“Let me go.” I yanked her hand off, my voice trembling.“Show some manners. Didn’t your mother teach you not to eardrop on people’s conversations?”“And didn’t your mother teach you not to go around with men?” She spat back, her eyes sharp as blades.“Now see who’s pregnant, carrying a bastard in her tummy. Oh dear, dear…” Her palm slammed across my face, the sound echoing in the room. My cheek burned as tears pricked my eyes.“Now Catrina, it seems you’ve forgotten. But I’ll be kind
Catrina's Pov “Look at her, so shameless, and disgusting.”The voice stabbed me from behind. My stomach lurched. I spun so quickly I nearly collided with her.“Isabella?” Her name tore out of my throat before I could stop it.Her hand fisted in my hair, jerking my head back until tears stung my eyes. “Don’t you dare say my name with that filthy mouth of yours or I'll make sure you never say a word again.” Her grip twisted harder, strands burning against my scalp.I clawed at her wrist, finally wrenching myself free. She stumbled backward, landing with a heavy thud on the marble floor.“Ouch!” Her scream bounced through the walls.Footsteps thundered down the hall. Vincenzo’s shadow arrived before he did, heavy and consuming. His voice followed, low but crackling with command. “What is going on here?”“She started it!” we both blurted, fingers stabbing the air at each other like blades.“Don’t point at me!” Isabella snapped, eyes wide and flashing like daggers.“Enough!” His roar cut
Julian POV.My fist hit the couch so hard the cushion sighed. “How could she use me like that? Did she think I’d let her get away with this?” The questions ricocheted around my skull, loud and stupid.Antonio cleared his throat. “Something’s off. Can I see?”I shoved the phone at him. The room filled with a sound that made my stomach clench, muffled moans bleeding through the tiny speaker. Heat crawled up my neck. My palms went slick.“You could skip that part, you know,” I muttered. Pretending didn’t hurt as much.Antonio didn’t look up. He watched the screen like a man reading a crime scene. “Eiii, calm. I need the details.” He fumbled for his laptop and tapped, zooming the footage. “Pause. There — there, look.”He pointed with an accusing fingertip. The video stuttered, then cleared: a woman wobbling, dragged toward a hotel door by a man who moved like he owned the room. “Look she’s tipsy,” Antonio said. “And that man, seems so familiar. Yes that’s Hulk. Vincenzo’s assistant.”My
JULIAN'S POV“Hey Mom, I never knew I’d meet you in my house, and you didn't bother giving me a call that you were going to be around today. I would have made the workers prepare your favourite meal.“Do I have to take permission to stick around my son's house?” her voice was laced with calmness.“Well, I never said so. You are welcome here. I Just got back from work. I’ll be going upstairs now to freshen up, I’ll be with you shortly." A warm smile entangled my cheeks.My smile carried me halfway up the stairs until my eyes caught her. I froze, my jaw locked, my chest went still.“Mom, what is she doing here?” my face drained, my stare cut through Veronica.“Julian St. Claire!” My mother’s voice cracked like a whip. “I won’t have you speak to me in that manner. I’m your mother.”“I want grandchildren. You keep on refusing to give me one, let alone get married”. Her lips trembled, but her tone carried weight. “Do you think I have all the time in this world?” Her voice broke, tears sli